New England Patriots vs Los Angeles Chargers: Game 8 preview and prediction
By Hal Bent
WHO NEEDS TO STEP UP?
Rob Gronkowski.
Gronkowski is going to be leaned on heavily. Los Angeles cornerbacks Casey Hayward and Trevor Williams have already shown the ability to shut down the best wide receivers in the league. Last week they held Demaryius Thomas to just two receptions for nine yards. The week before it was Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree held to just 11 combined catches for 80 yards in the Chargers win over the Raiders.
Gronkowski has returned to form after back surgery shut him down in 2016. He has 29 receptions in six games for 452 yards and whopping 15.6 yards per reception average. He has found the end zone four times and has been near impossible to slow down.
San Diego has little chance of slowing Gronkowski if they man-up against him with a linebacker. Hayes Pullard is probably their best coverage linebacker but he is just six-foot and 235 pounds and cannot match the physicality of Gronkowski. Korey Toomer has more size and length but lacks the coverage skills to stay with him.
Strong safety Jahleel Addae just does not have the size or athleticism to cover Gronkowski and no doubt Tom Brady has already mentally prepared himself to throw to his tight end any time he can match him up on the five-foot-eleven and 195-pound safety.
It will be interesting to see if the Chargers put cornerback Trevor Williams on Gronkowski and slide in Desmond King on the outside and take their chances with him matching-up on Chris Hogan.